Factors affecting morphological transformation and secondary attachment of apexes of Chondracanthus chamissoi (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales)

Fragments of Chondracanthus chamissoi have the capacity of secondary attachment. In the laboratory, apexes of upright branches of C. chamissoi placed 1-2 mm and parallel to horizontal substrata underwent morphological transformation prior to becoming attached, changing from thick and blunt to elongated and cylindrical and from straight to curved towards the substratum, where they eventually produced secondary attachment discs. When transformation occurred, signs could already be observed after 3 days of incubation. Several factors that could affect transformation and attachment were tested. The vertical or horizontal orientation of the fragments, the angle of incidence of light, and the phase of the life cycle had no effect on transformation, whereas the presence of reproductive structures had a negative effect compared to vegetative fragments. Low light intensity and low water flow favored the transformation response. Calcareous substrata (bivalve shells and coralline crusts) produced the highest frequency of transformation and other solid substrata (glass slides, rock, and sea-squirt tunic) followed in the ranking, but fleshy seaweeds (Ulva sp., Sarcothalia crispata, and C. chamissoi) failed to produce any response. Thus, the experimental upright branches developed features and reactivity similar to basal branches when the former were placed in conditions similar to those where the latter occur in the natural environment. Vegetative reproduction has been incorporated in cultivation techniques of C. chamissoi, but it could also be used in repopulation or restoration programs of this species.